The Green Bay Packers enter this offseason with one of the most talent-rich rosters in the NFL-but that depth comes with a hefty price tag. With a handful of key players approaching free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst faces a tough balancing act to keep the core intact. And that brings us to veteran guard Aaron Banks, whose future in Green Bay is suddenly looking uncertain.
Banks signed a four-year, $77 million deal just last offseason, a move that signaled the Packers' commitment to fortifying the interior of their offensive line. But after just one season in green and gold, the return on that investment hasn’t matched the price tag. Now, with the team needing to clear cap space to retain cornerstone players like Rashan Gary and other soon-to-be free agents, Banks is a prime candidate to become a salary cap casualty.
Let’s break down why.
The Cap Crunch and the Banks Dilemma
The Packers are staring down some tough financial decisions. While restructuring contracts is always an option, doing so with Banks would only kick the can down the road-something Green Bay can’t afford with so many key deals looming.
According to Spotrac, Banks is due a $9.5 million bonus in March. That date looms large, because if the Packers act before March 13, they can save over $4.5 million by releasing him.
If they wait until after June 1, that number jumps significantly, with more than $18 million in cap space freed up.
That kind of financial flexibility could go a long way in helping Green Bay retain its top-tier talent or pursue reinforcements in free agency. And given the current state of the offensive line, reinforcements are very much on the table.
Performance vs. Paycheck
Banks’ 2025 campaign didn’t live up to expectations-especially not those that come with a $19.25 million average annual salary. Per Pro Football Focus, he graded out at 53.0 overall, ranking 65th among 81 eligible guards. His pass-blocking grade (50.8) and run-blocking grade (54.6) both fell well below league average.
Digging deeper into the numbers, Banks allowed two sacks, three quarterback hits, and 24 hurries across 83% of the team’s offensive snaps. He was also flagged five times, including three false starts. For a veteran lineman, those are the kind of mistakes that hurt both drives and confidence.
And it wasn’t just in the passing game where the struggles showed. Josh Jacobs, one of the league’s most dynamic backs, often found himself getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.
While the blame doesn’t fall solely on Banks, his inability to consistently create push up front certainly didn’t help. In a league where offensive line play can make or break an offense, those shortcomings are magnified-especially in Green Bay’s system, which leans heavily on balance and timing.
A Tough Call, But a Necessary One?
Banks has never played a full season in his five-year NFL career, and while he missed just two games this past year, availability and consistency remain concerns. When you pair that with underwhelming production and a significant financial commitment, the writing on the wall becomes hard to ignore.
Releasing Banks would give the Packers not just cap relief, but also clarity. It would allow them to target specific needs in free agency and the draft, particularly along the offensive line. And with a young quarterback and a star running back in place, shoring up protection and run-blocking support is critical.
In the end, this isn’t just a numbers game-it’s about performance, value, and direction. And right now, Aaron Banks isn’t delivering the kind of impact that justifies his contract. If the Packers want to stay competitive and keep their core intact, moving on from Banks might be the first step in a pivotal offseason.